Behind every public figure's appearance is a personal approach to health and beauty. This series examines the diets, exercise routines, treatments and fashion choices of notable figures as practical lifestyle information.

[Jang Jae-in's social media]
[Jang Jae-in's social media]

Singer Jang Jae-in has shared her thoughts on going braless — a lifestyle choice she is known to embrace. While a common belief holds that forgoing a bra leads to sagging, medical evidence to support that claim is thin. Experts say whether to wear a bra is largely a matter of personal comfort and body type, though a supportive sports bra is recommended for high-impact activities such as running.

Jang recently came across her own profile on the Korean online encyclopedia Namu Wiki while browsing her YouTube channel and noticed an entry describing her as someone who "enjoys going braless."

Reacting to the description, she said, "Can't a woman just live freely?" and added, "I live freely. What's wrong with that?"

In practice, there is no medical basis for the claim that wearing a bra is necessary to maintain breast health. A bra provides lift and shape under clothing, but whether a person wears one does not determine breast health.

There is little evidence that going braless accelerates sagging or that wearing a bra preserves shape over the long term.

Breasts are composed mostly of fatty tissue, glandular tissue and connective tissue, with the pectoralis major muscle sitting beneath them. Breast tissue is supported by connective structures including Cooper's ligaments, but the elasticity of the skin and ligaments changes over time, and breast shape can shift as a result.

No confirmed evidence shows that going braless speeds up those changes.

Columbia University's health information service says there is insufficient evidence that going braless causes sagging, and equally little to suggest that wearing a bra maintains breast shape or firmness over the long term.

Factors with a greater influence on sagging include age, weight fluctuation, number of pregnancies, breast size and smoking. Research analyzing risk factors for breast ptosis has identified increasing age, higher body mass index, significant weight loss, number of pregnancies, larger breast size and smoking as associated factors.

The ratio of skin, fat and glandular tissue also varies from person to person. As the balance of glandular and fatty tissue shifts with age and hormonal changes, breast size and shape can change over time even in the same individual.

A bra can lift and support the breasts while it is worn, but it cannot be considered a device that fixes breast shape once removed.

An ill-fitting bra can cause shoulder and back pain and skin irritation.

The most immediate change many people notice when going braless is a reduction in pressure and constriction.

Wearing a poorly fitting bra for extended periods can cause the band, underwire or straps to press against or chafe the skin, leading to discomfort. People with larger breasts may experience neck, shoulder and back discomfort if the bra's size and support level are not well matched to their body.

A study examining the bra fit of 104 women found that 85 percent were wearing bras that did not fit properly by professional standards. The researchers said an ill-fitting bra and inadequate breast support could affect musculoskeletal pain and physical activity.

If bra straps leave deep marks, the underwire digs into the skin, or the band rides up the back, it is worth checking the size and fit.

A medical institution under the UK's National Health Service advises that a bra band should sit firmly against the body without being overly tight and should remain horizontal across the back. Breast tissue should sit naturally within the cup, with no spillage over the top or sides and no large gaps inside. The underwire should lie flat against the ribcage without pressing into or cutting into the skin.

Going braless is not necessarily healthier — comfort matters more than whether you wear one.

Going braless cannot automatically be considered a health benefit.

If a bra fits well and feels comfortable, there is no evidence that wearing one daily is harmful. The decision can be based on breast size, activity level, clothing choice and personal comfort.

People with larger breasts may feel heaviness, pulling or breast pain from movement when not wearing a bra. When clothing repeatedly rubs against the nipples and causes skin irritation, a bra can help reduce that friction.

Many people find that removing a bra while resting at home or during low-activity periods reduces pressure and increases comfort. Choosing what works best for one's own body is what matters.

Wearing a bra for long hours does not make breasts healthier, and going braless does not improve breast health on its own. If unusual changes appear — such as pain, a lump, nipple discharge or skin dimpling — addressing those symptoms takes priority over any question of bra habits.

Exercise is a different matter — a sports bra can cut breast movement by more than half.

Unlike everyday activities, exercise calls for adequate breast support.

Because breasts contain no bones or muscles of their own, they move in multiple directions during running or jumping, following the body's motion. Greater movement can lead to breast pain and discomfort.

A biomechanical study analyzing the effects of sports bras measured breast movement in 20 women while walking and running without a bra, in a regular bra, and in a sports bra.

Running at 10 kilometers per hour, wearing a sports bra reduced vertical breast movement by 56 percent compared with going braless and by 43 percent compared with wearing a regular bra. Breast movement and velocity were lowest in the sports bra condition.

For high-impact activities with significant vertical movement — such as running, jumping and tennis — choosing a sports bra suited to the exercise intensity is preferable to a regular bra. People with larger breasts may need higher levels of support.

A tighter sports bra is not necessarily better. A product that makes breathing difficult or whose band and straps press deeply into the skin can increase discomfort during exercise. The key is finding a bra that stays securely in place, limits movement and does not interfere with breathing.

Going braless, as Jang mentioned, is one personal lifestyle choice. In daily life, what matters more than whether a bra is worn is whether the body feels comfortable. In situations involving significant breast movement — such as exercise — having adequate support is beneficial.


rainbow@heraldcorp.com